Big Up Britwell: A Huge Success!
On Tuesday 28th October, the Britwell Youth and Community Project was buzzing with energy and excitement as more than 80 young people came together for Big Up Britwell – a celebration of youth voice, sport, and community spirit.
The event, made possible through the support of Get Berkshire Active (GBA) and Sport England, had two key goals: to gather young people’s insights on investment in physical activity across Britwell, and to give them a chance to experience just how fun and accessible being active can be.
What made Big Up Britwell truly special, though, was that it was entirely organised by young people. From the creative workshops to the distinctive event name, every detail was co-designed by those who know the community best – its youth.
Activity, Innovation, and Inspiration
Across four vibrant hours, the Britwell Youth and Community Project was transformed into a hub of creativity and movement. Participants took part in back-to-back focus groups and filled out nearly 50 questionnaires, helping to shape the next phase of GBA’s research on youth activity and wellbeing.
Thanks to the brilliant team at Salt Hill VR, attendees were able to try out cutting-edge virtual reality sports, from holographic boxing to the ever-popular Beat Saber.
Meanwhile, Berks & Bucks FA showcased their regular Thursday football sessions, inspiring more young people to get involved in local sport. Athena Angels led a dynamic gymnastics taster sessions, while TXL brought their trademark energy to basketball workshops – both a huge hit with participants.
A Community Effort
The young people at the forefront of organising the event were thrilled with how it went:
“I felt great about being able to take part in organising an event that helped people in the Britwell area, and Slough as a whole, get physically active. It was amazing to help people see the benefits of physical activity and how it can positively impact them, improving both their physical and mental health.” Umar, 15
Reflecting on the success of the day, Rob Deeks, CEO of Together As One, shared his gratitude:
“We are enormously grateful to all of the partners who made this event possible, from our incredible hosts at Britwell Youth and Community Project, to our workshop leads Berks & Bucks FA, Athena Angels, and TXL, and of course our funders. The young people who took part have been clear – they would love to do something like this again.”
A Taste of Healthy Living
No community event would be complete without great food – and Big Up Britwell didn’t disappoint. Local chef Kevin Mohammed treated everyone to lessons in how to make a healthy, delicious chicken shawarma, proving that nutritious cooking can be both simple and satisfying.
Here’s Kevin’s recipe so you can try it at home:
🥙 Chicken Shawarma Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 chicken breast (or thigh), sliced
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A pinch of chili powder
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A pinch of salt
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1 flat teaspoon smoked paprika
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½ teaspoon ground cumin
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½ teaspoon ground coriander
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A squeeze of lemon juice
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¼ onion, sliced
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¼ bell pepper, sliced
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A little oil (for frying)
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1 pita bread
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Lettuce
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix the chicken with chili, salt, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and lemon juice.
2. Slice the onion and peppers.
3. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the onion and peppers, then cook until the chicken is cooked through (its juices should run clear).
5. Warm the pita bread, stuff it with the chicken and veggies, add lettuce, and finish with your favourite sauce.
Looking Ahead
Big Up Britwell was more than an event – it was a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given the chance to lead, create, and connect. With so much enthusiasm and talent on display, one thing’s certain: this won’t be the last time we do this and we can’t wait for the next one.
Here’s to the next Big Up Britwell – even bigger and better!